Our H.O.P.E.

Introduction

This year’s Homeless Outreach Prevention and Education (H.O.P.E.) Week falls between September 18th-22nd. This week is full of events, such as the Open House and BBQ on the 18th, the Candlelight Vigil on the 20th, and Stone Soup on the 21st. H.O.P.E. Week serves as an opportunity to educate the community about homelessness and its effects on individuals and the community.

‘Hope’ can be defined as a noun, meaning a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a feeling of trust. Or it can be defined as a verb, meaning to want something to happen or be the case. To have hope or to be hopeful can mean different things to different people. Some volunteers were asked varying questions about the word ‘hope.’

How would you define HOPE?

“Hope, in its purest essence, is the radiant belief in the possibility of a better tomorrow, even when today seems shrouded in uncertainty. Hope is the seed you plant in the soil of possibility. It’s the unwavering conviction that our actions, no matter how small, can ripple out and create meaningful change. From the perspective of astrology and spirituality, hope takes on a cosmic dimension. It’s the alignment of stars and planets that whisper tales of destiny and the interconnectedness of all things. It’s the belief that the universe has a grand design, and that, even in the face of adversity, we play a unique role in this celestial symphony. It’s the beacon that guides you through the darkest nights and inspires you to be a steward of hope in a world in need of its radiant light.” -Q

How does hope differ from optimism?

“Optimism to me is the belief that something will work out well. This is more short-term, and self-centered than hope. Hope, on the other hand, is more long-term and altruistic for me, having less defined parameters for success. Like I have hope that life on earth will continue past our current climate crisis, whereas I am optimistic that the bread I make will turn out well.” -Jake

“Hope differs from optimism in that it comes from a place of resilience. Optimism is a more fragile and less realistic source of determination. Hope is entering into a situation knowing that the possibility of failure exists, but trusting yourself enough to be resourceful to overcome any obstacles you have on reaching your goals.” -La Puente Volunteer

What is something that makes you feel hopeful right now?

“The PALS staff and kids give me hope. The staff shows so much love and dedication to the point that I am just proud to be associated with them by serving at La Puente. As for the kids, many come from difficult backgrounds, yet they still exude enthusiasm and serve as a true source of light for me.” -Patrick

“Something that makes me feel hopeful right now is how often clients at the food bank offer to help others carry their groceries to their cars. It’s a small gesture, but it makes me think about how communities look out for and care for one another. It makes me think that we are moving towards something better.” -Moira

What is the best thing to do for someone who is feeling hopeless?

“I think the best thing to do when someone is feeling hopeless is to sit them down and present them with realistic options and solutions for their problems. Many times people let themselves be clouded by emotion and don’t consider how they could take actionable steps towards achieving their goals, or they are unaware of options that could make solving their particular problems easier. I think it’s also equally important to learn to recognize when people just need you to listen and be aware of how a situation is affecting them, or when they need an outside opinion on what their best course of action is.” -La Puente Volunteer

Why is it important to have events like H.O.P.E. Week?

“I think it’s especially important to have events like HOPE week because many people don’t have a realistic understanding of the reasons for homelessness or how hard it can be to access the resources needed to become stabilized. I think that if we removed stigmatization around utilizing social service agencies or made others aware of the resources available to them in the community, it would be easier to proactively help members of the community address the problems that can lead to homelessness. I also think that it’s important to emphasize to the community that we can assist people with differing levels of need – our services are open to more than just those experiencing homelessness. Additionally, I think it’s important to make the community aware that we are helping to boost the local economy through programs like Employment Readiness, which helps fill vacant job openings within the community.” -La Puente Volunteer

Conclusion

To serve a community, you need to know the why. Why is this important? As we are in the midst of H.O.P.E. Week, it is crucial to understand why we participate in events like these. It’s important to reflect on what ‘hope’ means to us, and how our contributions help those around us. 

Thank you to all the volunteers who participated.